Ch-4

After Lunch – In Class

Back in the classroom, the atmosphere was different. Students were quieter after eating, some drowsy. Ms. Michi hadn’t returned yet.

Linyun slid into his seat, relieved for a brief moment. But then…

Tap.

He looked down. A small folded note had landed on his desk. He unfolded it carefully.

“Try not to fall asleep, Lazy. Or I’ll have to wake you up myself. –E.”

Linyun froze. E… Elen?! He turned his head slightly, and sure enough, Elen was leaning back in his chair two rows away, his eyes meeting Lin’s with that same unreadable smirk.

Linyun quickly shoved the note into his bag.

[I really hate this man!! ]

Meanwhile, Venm was trying to focus on doodling in his notebook when a calm voice spoke behind him.

“You know…” Niun’s calm tone cut through the quiet. “Your handwriting is as messy as your personality.”

Venm turned around. “Seriously? You’re judging my handwriting now?”

Niun rested his chin on his hand, looking completely unbothered. “It’s a reflection of your chaotic energy. You really can’t hide it.”

Venm squinted. “You… are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Niun’s lips curved slightly. “Maybe.”

Before Venm could snap back, Ms. Michi finally walked in.

“Alright, everyone! Back to your seats, let’s start!” she said cheerfully.

 The lesson began, Linyun couldn’t focus. He could feel Elen’s gaze on him occasionally, subtle but heavy.

Ms. Michi started writing on the board, explaining a grammar topic. The class was quiet except for the sound of pens scratching paper.

Linyun tried to focus on his notes, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Slowly, he glanced to the side.

Elen was leaning back in his chair, lazily twirling his pen… and staring directly at him.

Lin quickly looked away, pretending to focus. But then—

Tap.

Another small paper slid onto his desk. His heart raced.

He unfolded it.

“Still slow. Can’t even concentrate when someone looks at you?”

Lin clenched his jaw. He scribbled a reply before he could stop himself.

“Stop staring at me. You’re distracting.”

A moment later, the paper came back.

“That’s the point, Lazy.”

Lin’s face heated up. He crumpled the paper and shoved it in his bag, silently fuming.

Meanwhile, Venm was sketching random doodles in peace when Niun’s voice came from behind him.

“You draw like a kid. Do you even know what you’re sketching?”

Venm turned, whispering sharply. “At least I try to do something. You just sit there looking like a frozen statue.”

Niun blinked slowly, unbothered. “Statues have more value than messy scribbles.”

Venm gasped quietly. “Wow. Just… wow. You’re the definition of a polite savage.”

Niun tilted his head. “And you’re the definition of… noise pollution.”

Venm opened his mouth to snap back, but Ms. Michi’s warning voice interrupted.

“Venm! Niun! Focus, please!”

The class snickered. Venm slumped in his seat while Niun just looked calm as ever.

After School –

The final bell rang. Students packed their bags and started heading out.

Venm stretched his arms. “Finally! I thought today would never end.”

Lin stood quietly, putting away his books. “Yeah… it was a long day.”

“Hey, wanna go grab some snacks on the way home?” Venm asked.

“Sure,” Lin nodded.

They started walking out together, relief washing over them—until they reached the school gate.

And there they were.

Elen and Niun, leaning casually against the gate, waiting.

Venm froze. “…Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Do they live here or something?”

Niun looked up first, his calm eyes meeting Venm’s. “Leaving so soon? Didn’t think you’d survive the day.”

Venm groaned. “Really? You’re still roasting me even after school?”

Niun gave the faintest smile. “I don’t roast. I observe… and comment.”

Venm muttered under his breath, “Yeah, with the sharpness of a knife.”

Elen’s gaze shifted to Linyun. “Still moving slow, Lazy? I thought you’d at least try to avoid me.”

Lin frowned. “Why would I avoid you?”

Elen smirked. “Because you can’t handle it when someone actually pays attention to you.”

Lin rolled his eyes.

Venm patted his shoulder. “Ignore him. He probably thinks sarcasm counts as personality.”

Elen chuckled. “You’ve got a mouth on you, Venm.”

Venm grinned. “I also have ears—and they’ve been suffering every time you open yours.”

Niun gave the faintest smirk. “You're not as annoying as I thought.”

“Thanks,” Venm replied proudly. “I work hard at being exactly this annoying.”

Lin gently tugged Venm’s sleeve. “Can we go now?”

“Yep. Back to peace and snacks,” Venm said, following Lin.

———————

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in soft oranges and purples as Lin and Venm walked down the quiet street.

“Let’s stop at a store,” Venm said, perking up. “I’m starving. All I had during lunch was that sad sandwich.”

“You mean the one you dropped and still ate?” Lin raised an eyebrow.

“Desperate times,” Venm said dramatically.

As they passed a small convenience store, Venm’s eyes lit up. “Wait! That’s the place with those ramen chips! Let’s grab some.”

Lin nodded. “You and your weird chip obsession.”

“I have refined taste,” Venm said, already heading inside.

They came out a few minutes later, arms full of snacks. Venm had spicy chips, a pack of instant noodles, candy, crackers, and a popsicle. Lin stuck to a melon bread and a drink.

“You’re not even cooking those noodles,” Lin said, eyeing the pack.

“I eat them raw like a warrior.”

“More like a raccoon.”

They paid, then walked out crunching chips.

Just across the road, Lin spotted a small neighborhood park.

“Wanna sit for a bit?” he asked.

Venm blinked. “You? Outside willingly? Is this a trap?”

Lin didn’t answer. He just walked ahead.

“Oh! I thought you are rushing home for your precious homework?”

Lin shot him a look. “It’s Saturday tomorrow.”

Venm grinned. “Right. Freedom.”

They sat on one of the old swings, feet gently dragging in the dirt. The park was nearly empty—just the sound of leaves rustling and distant cars.

There was a pause.

Then Lin quietly said, “They’re annoying.”

Venm looked at him. “Elen and Niun?”

“Yeah.” He took a sip of his drink. “I don’t get what they want. Elen keeps talking like he knows everything. And Niun acts like he runs a secret mafia. Just silently judging us from the shadows.”

Venm snorted. “He’s like: ‘I’m not mad, I’m just... disappointed in your existence.’”

They both laughed.

Lin leaned back, letting the swing creak. “So, what do we do? Avoid them forever? Change schools? Fake our own deaths?”

Venm gave a small smile. “Maybe… we mess with them.”

Lin sat up. “Oh!”

“I mean, you’re good at pranks, right?”

“Now you’re talking.” Venm grinned, eyes glinting. “What are you thinking?” Lin asked

Venm pretended to think hard. “Maybe switch Niun’s water bottle with soy sauce?”

“Evil.”

“Or put a fake confession letter in Elen’s locker.”

Lin gasped, hand over chest. “You’re more devious than I thought.”

Venm smirked. “I bring the chaos. You bring the plan.”

Venm held out a chip like a toast. “To revenge.”

Lin clinked his can against it. “To chaos.”

They both laughed.

Venm grew animated. “Okay, we fake a secret love letter to Niun. Make it super dramatic. Maybe even write a poem.”

Lin deadpanned, “Roses are red, Niun is mean—when he looks at me, I wanna scream?”

Venm wheezed. “Exactly! Or better—Elen opens his locker, and BAM! It explodes with glitter.”

Lin shook his head, laughing. “You really are dangerous.”

“I’m like a cat. Cute, but I knock stuff off shelves for fun.”

They both fell into a laughing fit, wiping tears from their eyes as the sky turned purple above them.

Lin took a final bite of his sweet bun. “You know we’re probably not doing any of this.”

Venm sighed dramatically. “I know. But imagining it helps me sleep at night.”

Lin smiled. “You’re weird.”

“Takes one to know one,” Venm replied, nudging him.

Eventually, they got up and started walking toward Lin’s house.

They walked the rest of the way to Lin’s house, still chatting about ridiculous “missions”—like putting glitter in Elen’s backpack or switching Niun’s math notes with scribbles.

As they reached Lin’s gate, Lin turned to him.“Thanks for walking with me.”

“Anytime,” Venm replied, giving a lazy salute. “See you tomorrow. Operation: Chaos is underway.”

“Go home, weirdo.”

Venm grinned and walked off. Lin watched him disappear around the corner, then went inside, feeling just a little better.

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